Police have closed the A5 in Hinckley as a lorry has struck what has formerly been named ‘Britain’s most bashed bridge’.
The road closure was announced at 5.52am on Sunday by the force who urge drivers to avoid the area.
The closure is in place between Dodwells Road/Coventry Road and the Nutts Lane Roundabouts.
Work to lower the bridge has been delayed
A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police said: “Following an incident with a lorry going into the bridge, the A5 Hinckley is closed between Dodwells Road / Coventry Road and the Nutts Lane Roundabouts.
“Please find an alternative route, with updates to follow.”
Recently, a scheme to stop lorries crashing into the bridge was delayed again.
The railway bridge near Hinckley has now been struck by tall vehicles 27 times since March 2025.
Developer Mountpark said they would lower the bridge when it was granted planning permission to build a large logistics park nearby in June 2023, with work expected to start in May.
However, the proposal has not yet been approved by Network Rail.
Campaigners have been calling for measures to be put in place in order to stop the disruption the incidents cause, but this appears a long way off.
Former Hinckley county councillor David Bill told the BBC: “This road lowering is a myth. It’s a plan that can’t get signed off and the longer that remains the case, the harder it is to see it happening.”
Hinckley county councillor Ann Pendlebury said: “It’s good that the work on the Dodwells Roundabout is going to start. It’s much needed.
“But the road lowering isn’t approved yet and there’s no guarantee it will be.
“People are saying they will believe it when they see it.
“The disruption caused by bridge strikes and the road works themselves could go on and on.”
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We remain committed to working collaboratively with our partners and supporting the development of proposals to reduce bridge strikes at Hinckley, which can cause serious safety issues for road and rail users, as well as being costly to taxpayers.
“As with any proposal affecting the operational railway, detailed designs and associated works information must be submitted and reviewed ahead of the work taking place and we’re continuing to engage with Mountpark to progress this as quickly as possible.”